Rasmus

The Internet is deffinatley a good way of advertising.
Without even realising it, your product can have an audience. For example, a Death Note Skit, titled 'Digest Version to Music' was basically the forst half of Death Note Summarised and choreographed around the The Rasmus's song, In the Shadows. The Rasmus is a Finnish Rock band that I would have previsously had no contact with if it had not have been for this Skit. I totally loved this song (And still do) and proceeded to buy it. The internet is a powerful tool.

The internet also launched Cosfusion. It took something that was quite simply a miniture dream in the back of my head that wouldn't have become what it is today without it. Cosfusion was born out of Youtube. I posted a video a while ago that called any cosplayers in the Salisbury area to find me at 12 PM outside Salisbury Cathedral, on August First, 2009.
The response was great.
Cosfusion has a solid base of about 30 members, whom quite loyally turn up and spend half a day talking anythin and everything, without ever taking off their wigs. I'm pleased to say that they've become my friends, despite having only met twice! So, in order to continue the randomness and mental instability our group promotes, there's going to be another meeting!

6th February, 2010 The Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury. From 12PM till 3PM.

If you want more information on the Group itself, you can check out our Facebook page here.

You can also check out my Youtube for Video updates here.

I'm still looking for cosplayers to Interveiw, so if you would like to be, or if you want to nominate someone, please email cosfusion@hotmail.com.

Deception

I'm often inspired by Videos I see on Youtube, either for Cosplay or other reasons - though cosplay inspiration is more common, I must say. Most of the time, the inspiration comes in the Form of excellent cosplays or really good jokes. However, there is a Video that I think you should see, as it makes me want to cosplay Organization XIII everytime I see it.
An Anime Music Video - or AMV - for short, is basically what it says in the title. It's a Video with clips from an Anime or a Video Game set to music. Sometimes this title can apply to a Slideshow of Pictures, but not often.
The Video I want to show you is by a Youtuber called SephysHeartlessAngel. It's a Kingdom Hearts AMV, with some music from Disney's Second Intsallment to the Lion King series. "One of Us" is sang to Kovu, in The Lion King, but here, it's Applied to Roxas.
I really like this Video. I've even given it an extra Large box! So, I like how she's left in  Axel and Roxas's original lines from the Game. I also Like how the last line is spoken by Axel. I don't really want to look to far into this Video, but it's really cool...

Sitting Next to Italy

Hetalia: Axis Powers.
You've probably heard of of this cute little Anime, but you might not of Watched it. Hetalia is quite the Sensation - starting out as a webcomic, becoming a Published Manga, and then an Anime. Hetalia: Axis Powers is a history lesson, if you will. Each Country is Represented with a Character, who usually acts upon Stereotypes, and they take part in Random Historical Events and everyday weirdness. The Main Chracter is Italy, and it all seems to revolve around Italy's general uselessness during the Second World War.

Over 40 countries have been represented so Far, the Main Chracters being The Axis Powers (Italy, Germany and Japan) and the Allies (The UK, Russia, France, China, and the USA). I'd deffinatley reccomend checking it out.
Which Leads me onto today's video! The Great thing about Hetalia is that you don't have to have watched it to understand the Jokes. This is a Cleverly written Skit. It's given birth to two quotes that I use quite regurally in conversation: "Ah, I love the smell of Europe in the Morning!" and "Don't worry China. Vodka is just Russian Water!". France is well written, being a take on Monty Python - something most Otakus watch avidly. I also think that the coplays here are really good, especially Germay, who looks very close to what he does in the Anime. After the Skit is Finished, a character walks on to help clear up the stage, all in Blue and with a Beret. This guy is Sealand! He's also a country, and I think he should get some mention. Due to the Laughter and Screaming from the Crowd, some of the script is lost - in particular when Canada Arrives. However, Like the annotation on the Video says, a Better clearer version is avaliable on the ACParadise website. The only reason I haven't used that one is that you have to join and I haven't had the time.

Ordinary Cosplay: Anggul (Part One)

A new year brings with it new things. New work; friends, cosplay and expos. Today, I'm introducing something new to the blog. Over the Year I'm going to post interviews with Odinary Cosplayers from all over the world. We start with Austin Bemister. The Sixteen Year old, who lives in Southampton is the guy behind Anggul.

So, Who do you Cosplay?

So far I've done: Kratos Aurion from Tales of Symphonia, Cloud Strife (the original version... y'know, the cool one) and an Eldar Warlock. In May I'll be an Eldar Dire Avenger Exarch, and Mukuro Rokudou from Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Possibly Alto Saotome too, but that's a long shot.

Wow, that's a lot! So, do you go to Expos Often?

This will only be my Second time, in October I only went for the Sunday, but this time I'm going there with a lot of others from around here on Friday and staying for two nights. Going for the whole deal this time, I just hope I can make my main costume in less than five months.

Sounds Awesome! We hope you guys have fun. You say you're going with a lot of people. Would you say your friends where an important part of your cosplaying?

Well it would be boring just going by myself in costume, so in that respect yes. Also, a certain couple of them are a great help in figuring out how to make parts of the costumes, as when one mind can't figure something out, the other one can, and vice versa.

Well, they say two minds are better than one, Right? You make your costumes then... Have you always done?

Yeah, I mean, it's not commonplace to see a decent Buster Sword conveniently on sale, so sometimes you've just gotta force yourself to get up and do it yourself. Also, I tend towards cosplays that most companies wouldn't bother making, my most recent one, the Dire Avenger Exarch, being a prime example. Hell, I'm not even sure I'll get it done in time, but that's my challenge. For some reason I always chose characters with akward-to-make weapons. But Hey, if it's complex, all the better when it's completed.

That's understandable; It's a sense of Achievement. Would you buy if you had the option though?

Well the only one I'm buying is the Mukuro suit, as it being so simple, it's not worth the trouble wasting the time and money making, which would probably turn out more expensive, it just wouldn't really give me any sense of achievement. As for the others, I would be less inclined to cosplay them anymore, as anyone could just go and buy them, it becomes less about skill and imagination, and more about who has the most money. Also, the ones made by the companies are hardly ever as good, as simple things like shoulder armour get made out of material, when the simple act of taking a hacksaw to a £1 Police Helmet can do wonders.

Who's your favourtite to cosplay?

Well Cloud gets the most attention and it's always fun when you have a sword the size of a human that can shatter bone, but Kratos Aurion is my Favourite as a character, and he's by far the one I suit more, so I like cosplaying him the most. Once I've finished the costumes for May, I'm going to update my Kratos as he deserves more work.

It's cool that you're dedicated to your cosplay. Who's your least favourite, and why?

Well, I suppose in a sense Cloud, not because of the costume, but because so many people only know Advent Children Cloud, which didn't suit him at all. It did warm my heart a great deal when people ran up to me and hugged me because I wasn't Advent Children Cloud though; I'm glad some people recognise the original and love it.

The Rest of this interview can be found in Part Two!

Ordinary Cosplay: Anggul (Part Two)

This is Part two of my interview with Austin Bemister, the guy behind Anggul. Please go and read part one First!

It's heart breaking when people don't appreciate your Character. So... Your first cosplay. Most people I know are embarrassed to admit theirs. How about you?

Well years ago in primary school you'd have those days for charity where you'd all dress up. Of course, at the time I had no idea what Cosplay was, or probably even what Manga was, but if they count, Celtic Guardian from the Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. If you mean starting from 'actual Cosplay', then Kratos Aurion, which I was pretty happy about at the time. It was at a ReCon in Southampton, only a couple of people actually knew who the character was, but one of those is now a good friend, and it was a great introduction to the Cosplay community, if it can be called that without any hint of irony.

Celtic Guardian? That's so cool! I was ill, and missed the dress up day... How did you get into Cosplay?

My uncle (he's only a couple of years older than me) started reading Manga, and I had a look and got into it, then he mentioned a little con called ReCon which he was going to, and said he was going to be dressing as Ed Elric. At that point, I laughed and said it was going too far. Then, over the next few days, as I saw it taking shape, my thoughts quickly changed, as I thought over in my head how cool it would be to be a favourite character. A lot of people talk about their favourite characters, but how many can say they've been them for a day? So I decided I'd be Kratos Aurion, and that's where it started.

Do you have any Favourite cosplayers?

Not particularly, I admire their work, especially PikminLink's, she's worked hard on pretty much every Link in existence and more, but I don't like how serious a lot of cosplayers take it all, it's a fun thing to do, but it's laughable when cosplayers put themselves high and mighty above others. No matter what way you look at it, you're dressing up, give it whatever name you want, it doesn't change what it is, and when people idolize cosplayers, I can't help but feel they're in the wrong frame of mind. That aside, I'd say the best cosplayer I know is Tab, she works hard to learn new techniques and expand her abilities to create increasingly impressive costumes, and she lives right here in Southampton.

Ok.. Last Question! What's your favourite thing about cosplay?

Let's face it, most characters we Cosplay as dress ridiculously, but in the right atmosphere, it becomes brilliant. I've personally never really had a problem with confidence, but for some, it can really help a lot. Think about it, if you have the guts to roam around before the public dressed as a fictional character, you can be sure that most other things won't seem anywhere near as daunting. You know form personal experience that I love walking around the town when we have our Cosplay meet-ups, just the confused yet enamoured looks the public give us sends joy rushing through me, that the appearance of a few people can make such a difference.

I know Austin, and have had the pleasure of seeing his cosplays first hand, as a member of Cosfusion. If you're interested, you can find his Deviantart here: http://anggul.deviantart.com/

He's pretty cool guy, with some awesome cosplays, and a great attitude towards it too.

If you'd like to be interviewed, or want to suggest someone who should, please email: cosfusion@hotmail.com

What Becomes of Snow?

It's been Snowing in Britain. Infact, We're completely covered. Snow always reminds me of Fruits Basket. Not only is it the first Place I saw snow drawn, but it is one of the concepts. Fruits Basket constantly asks you to contemplate being an optimist, like the main Character, Tohru Honda. Early on, We're asked "When the Snow Melts, What does it Become?" The obvious Answer here would be water, Right? But you'd be wrong.

This is a Really nice Picture of a Hatsuharu Cosplayer. I don't have any information on this Cosplayer, but I got the Picture from a blog called 'Sexy Cosplay Gallery'. No matter how hard I try, I can't find any information on the Cosplayer, or the Picture. If you know anything, I'd love to know. If this is your Picture, I'll remove it if you want.  I have always liked Hatsuharu, and I like this Cosplay because it show's Haru's Distant thoughtful look, and the attention to detail is good - even their eyebrows are coloured!
Fruits Basket cosplayers are Rare, and I'm not really sure why. I think it's a mixture of it being quite an Old Manga, and the Characters not being that prominent in a crowd - I know for a Fact that one of the reasons Me and my Friends cosplay is because we enjoy the attention! Because Furuba cosplays are quite rare, it's also quite rare that I come across any good Skits. Still, this one is a Favorite.It's a Little Quiet, so You'll have to turn up the Sound, but still, it's Really Cute.

By the Way. The Answer? It's Spring!

Sometimes, it's just like Theatre

Just like Acient greek Theatre, Skits often fall into two Catogories; Comedies and Tragedies. The Comedies are deeply thought out, full of live and usually contain, a Romance of some kind - Usually Yaoi. The 'Tragedies' tend to be taken from the original stroyline, because writing out a Tragedy can be quite hard - you are inventing an entirely new chapter of the original story for the Chracters to act out, whereas Comedies can be taken aside from the Original Storyline. There are some good examples of this.

This really is one of the Finest examples of a 'Tragedy' I have found. Taken from the Storyline of Full Metal Alchemist (Which is a pretty heart wrenching Series as it is) This is the devistating scene of Shou Tucker, The Sewing Life Alchmist, and his Family.
The Audience's reaction is imediate. Seeing the Chracters walk onto to stage is enough to make them gasp in Horror - infact one guy actually says "Oh God No!". The Cosplayers here have cleverly picked a Scene that will evoke a Reaction. The Music they've used is 'Brother' from the Anime, which, frankly, is Pretty depressing on it's own. One of the things that really makes this skit for me is the Chimera. It looks so cool! The Audience's reaction in this pretty sums up how I feel here. It's heart wrenching stuff.

Now that you're all horribly depressed, here's an totally Awesome Comedy.
This is a Naruto Skit. Techinically, this isn't apart of the Series, this is a Sketch where the Characters are at School, rather than being Ninjas. They're dressed in school Uniform and Basically use the well known Chracters to write Jokes around. Jokes that Work! There's your custom Yaoi couple in the form of Naruto and Kiba. Itachi Bullies Sasuke, and Sakura is as annoying as ever. I like the idea of having Chracters not in their traditional Outfits. You can find examples of this all over the place, some of my favorite examples come from Kingdom Hearts, where members of Organisation XIII are dressed as what they might look like if they took a Trip to Halloween Town, or the Pride Lands. I suggest you google it, or look on Deviantart if you're intrested because the People over there are Really good cosplayers. (If you've got a Picture of Yourself Cosplaying, I'd love to put it here.)

Exibit A: One Piece?

So, Welcome to Evidence Anime.
I'm Lionessgirl, and Evidence Anime is a distraction of mine. It came about when Cosfusion launched. Cosfusion is the Cosplay group I belong to that's based in the South of England. Our members are Mainly from the Salisbury/Southampton Area, but we have Members in London too. Overall, we're out there to have fun, and it would be great if you wanted to join us. Our Next event should be coming up soon. So, Anyway.
Here, I'm going to post Videos, Pictures and Advertise Cosplay events, all for your entertainment. Of course, this won't just be about Anime, Manga and Video Games, Because there are things I want to share that don't fall into these Catogories.
To get the Ball rolling I'm going to link you to a video today! Yup. This is one of my Favorites.
This is a One Piece Skit from the Animania, which is an Australian convention.

There are a couple of reasons why I love this as much as I do. First of all, It's One Piece. Nobody Cosplays One Piece these days! It's a Shame because it's a really awesome series. I mean come on. How many people do you know that can stretch like rubber? Which leads me to the Second point - a large portion of the cast is here - Something I admire, and Want to do at some point (*Hint Hint*) despite the fact that organising everyone together can be a somewhat gruesome task. And Finally? What makes me place them here? Simply because they've managed to make the it quite believeable, and funny - Sanji attacks Zolo, and the Way they start with the Differant poses, representing each character? Awesome. :3